Written by Marianne Curphey; published 9 March 2021
Relocate Global magazine spoke to Migrate’s managing director, Jonathan Beech about the new elite points-based visa
Read the article here
The government is modernising the immigration system to help the UK attract and retain the most highly skilled, globally mobile talent – particularly in academia, science, research and technology – from around the world. The move is intended to drive innovation, and support UK jobs and growth. By March 2022 the government intends to support an elite points-based visa for people with much-needed skills to enter the UK.
Karen Kaur and Jonathan Beech – Immigration Lawyers
Jonathan believes that not all sectors will benefit. He has experience working and consulting in UK immigration for the UK Border Agency and two of the ‘Big Four’ global advisory firms namely Ernst & Young and KPMG.
“Skills shortages exist in engineering, science, education, IT, healthcare, art and music but it is unlikely all these sectors will be accepted into a new version of this style of ‘Highly Skilled Migrant Programme’,” he said. “Fintech, R&D and academia could be seen by the government as jewels in the crown for status and prosperity and Fintech in particular has suffered from skills shortages brought on by less fintech graduates arriving in the UK since the Brexit vote. The end to freedom of movement from the EEA and Switzerland also limits choice. The new rules would need to be a major departure from the current points based system in order to meet the government’s objective.”